Machine for filling and closing of collapsible tubes, ampoules and similar containers

Claim 1

In a machine for filling and closing collapsible tube-shaped containers, each of the containers provided with a readable marking, an apparatus comprising: a rotatable support for holding the container in a vertical position, a rotatable spindle driven by an electric motor, means for engaging the spindle with the rotatable support thereby rotating the container, a photoelectric scanner means for scanning said container and for generating a signal when the marking is sensed, and means responsive to the signal for stopping the motor when the marking occupies a predetermined position, the motor being a multipolar electric step motor having a number of poles corresponding to a predetermined angular rotation of said spindle for each step of said motor, and a power source comprising an oscillator means for generating a varying pulse frequency pulse train to the motor and driving the motor through one step for each pulse of the pulse train, the pulse frequency of the pulse train during a first time interval having a relatively low pulse frequency and during a succeeding second time interval having a relatively high pulse frequency, the first time interval corresponding to the time during which the spindle engages the support without any substantial slip relative to the container or support and accelerates said container and support from zero to a predetermined rotational speed, the rotational speed being determined by the frequency of the pulses during the second time interval.